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When it comes to earbuds tailored for making calls, the AirPods Pro 2 stands out as a top contender, especially with the recent update introducing USB-C charging. Having tested countless earbuds over the years, I’ve found the AirPods Pro 2 excels in this category due to their ability to capture your voice with exceptional clarity while effectively minimizing background noise. This prowess isn’t solely attributed to the hardware – sophisticated algorithms play a crucial role in filtering out unwanted noise while prioritizing your voice.

While many earbuds offer decent call quality, only a select few truly excel and elevate the calling experience. To discern the best performers, I put them to the test on the bustling streets of New York City, one of the busiest and noisiest environments imaginable.

In recommending earbuds for phone calls, I often lean towards noise-isolating models, as they effectively block out ambient noise, allowing for clearer communication. However, recognizing that not everyone prefers in-ear tips, our selection also includes open-style earbuds for those who favor this design. Additionally, we take into account features such as sidetone, enabling you to hear your own voice during calls, and multipoint Bluetooth pairing for enhanced versatility.

While our list focuses primarily on earbuds, we also offer recommendations for headphones suited for remote work. This collection encompasses “work” or “business” headphones that cater to multitasking between phone calls and computer tasks, with some models featuring retractable boom microphones for added convenience.

Image of Apple AirPods Pro 2

Even better Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$190 at Amazon

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Best Samsung wireless earbuds

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

$190 at Samsung

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Best wireless earbuds with triple drivers

Status Between 3ANC

$179 at Amazon

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Best open earbuds for calls

Apple AirPods 3rd Generation

$179 at B&H Photo-Video

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Best Sony earbuds

Sony WF-1000XM5

$280 at Best Buy

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Best wireless earbuds for Android users

Google Pixel Buds Pro

$188 at Amazon

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Best affordable Wireless Earbuds from Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2

$110 at Samsung

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Best AirPods Pro alternative for less

JBL Live Pro 2

$150 at JBL.com

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Best wireless earbuds from Beats

Beats Studio Buds Plus

$130 at Amazon

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Best cheap open earbuds for making calls

Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS

$48 at Amazon

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Best Sennheiser true-wireless

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

$200 at Sennheiser

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Excellent sounding wireless earbuds buds with stems

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX

$358 at Amazon

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AirPods 2nd Generation

$120 at B&H Photo-Video